Improvement in compound implements



J. G. POWELL.

Compound-Implement.

N0. 131,964. Pate nted 0ct.1 ,1872.

FIG-.2.

Wzrzvzaaes U rrED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. POWELL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN COMPOUND |MPLEMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,904., dated October 1, 1872; antedated September 30,

.ing pencils.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the instrument for opening envelopes, cutting paper, &c.; Fig. 2, an

edge view of the parts of the instrument, showing the two detached from each other; Fig. 3, the same, showing the two parts connected together; and Fig. 4, a plan view.

A is the blade, and lithe handle of the in strument, .the former being elastic and the latter rigid. The blade, which has a gradual taper from the shoulder a to the point, may

be made of thin elastic steel with a plain surface on both sides; but I preferto make it of very thin steel, such as that used in the manufacture of steel-pens, and to corrugate it in the manner shown in thedrawing, these corrugations rendering the steel sufliciently rigid without deprivin g it of proper elasticity, and the elasticity being greater at the point than at the shoulder, owing to the gradual increasin g width of the blade and the increased depth of the corrugations at this point. The blade should be more or less-elastic in order that it may perform its duty properly. It is also necessarythat the handle, whatever the material of which it is composed, should be rigid, and elevated above theblade, substantially in the manner shown. In the present instance the handle is made of cast metal, and the blade is soldered or brazed to it, although it may be secured by' rivets, or by any other mode of V fastening. Thehandle must be somewhat massive at the points where it is secured to the blade, and l have availed myself of this requirement by forming, at the point shown, a pencil-sharpener, of the character too well known to need further explanation other than that there is a conical recess for receiving the point of the pencil, on turning which the wood and lead are shaved by the sharpened rear edge of the blade A, which projects into the recess. It should be understood that the edge I), and, if desired, the opposite edge of the blade, is made more or less sharp.

It'will be readily understood how, in using the instrument, the point of the blade can be 7 quickly introduced beneath the folds of an envelope; how the folds can be quickly severed by the sharp edge of the blade, and how useful the instrument will be for those who have a large number of letters to open.

The instrument may be also employed as a paper-cutter for severing the leaves of books, pamphlets, 850., in which case the blade may be longer and less pointed than that shown in the drawing. l

I claim as my invention-- 1. The compound instrument described, consisting of the said blade and handle, and a pencil'sharpener arranged at the junction of the two.

2. The compound implement described, in which the steel blade is prolonged and sharpened to form the cutting-edge of the sharpener, as set forth. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN G. POWELL. 

